by Pastor Cecil | Feb 9, 2021 | Philippians
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
It seems that all too often we have replaced excellence with convenience. We tend to get by with the least amount of effort, time, or cost. As a result we fail to encounter excellence. We surely can think of examples in the human family, but why spend the time trying to think of illustrations from mankind when we can use the life of Jesus Christ as the epitome of excellence and also One who is praiseworthy.
It is possible to cut directly to the bottom line in this passage and see where Paul is pointing his attention. It is in the section set off by the hyphens. Two words stand out here that should grab our attention: VIRTUOUS and PRAISEWORTHY.
We need to see in Jesus the living example of One who was always worthy of a good report. He stood head and shoulders above everyone who has ever lived. He demonstrated virtue wherever He went. Everything He did was praiseworthy — His parables as well as His actions. He will always be worthy of our thought life as we meditate upon Him and the life He lived. What are you thinking?!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 1, 2021 | Philippians
Philippians 3:13-14
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
I have often commented that I am better at forgetting than I am at remembering. That was never a good thing when I was preparing for an exam in school. I still am amazed that I was able to earn a Master’s Degree from Central Missouri State University! Go figure!
The Apostle Paul gives us good advice as we look forward to 2021. Do not let the chaos and confusion that has marked a majority of 2020 destroy the work the Lord has for us to accomplish in the days which lie ahead.
The beginning of a new year is a wonderful time to commit ourselves to spend more quality time with the Lord in Bible study and prayer. If you have never done so, it would be worth your while to establish a plan to read through the Bible in 2021. Many plans are available on line.
My prayer for each of you is to draw closer to the Lord as the time approaches of His return. What a day of rejoicing we have to look forward to!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 6, 2020 | Philippians
Philippians 4:4-6
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
William Walford did not allow the fact that he was blind limit his service for his Lord. He was frequently called upon to preach in a small country church. He composed the sermons in his head and also was able to quote large portions of Scripture from memory. Some people thought he had memorized the entire Bible. He also composed verses as the Lord laid the words upon his heart. Above all—he was a man of prayer.
In the mid 1800(s), Thomas Salmon was visiting in England and became acquainted with Pastor Walford. As they were visiting one day the blind pastor quoted a few pieces he had composed. Since he had no one to write them down he had kept them treasured in the storehouse of his mind.
One of the verses he related to Mr. Salmon was, Sweet Hour of Prayer. Mr. Salmon eagerly scribbled the words down on a scrap of paper. When he returned to New York he sent the verses to the Observer and asked if they thought them worth preserving. The Observer did think them worthy and published them on September 13, 1845. The music was added by William Bradbury in 1861.
Sweet Hour of Prayer
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care, And bids me at my Father’s throne, make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief; and oft escaped the tempter’s snare by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! The joys I feel, the bliss I share, of those whose anxious spirits burn, with strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place, where God my Savior shows His face, and gladly take my station there, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall my petition bear to Him whose truth and faithfulness, engage the waiting soul to bless. And since He bids me seek His face, believe His Word and trust His grace, I’ll cast on Him my every care, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! May I thy consolation share, till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height, I view my home and take my flight: This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise, to seize the everlasting prize; and shout, while passing through the air, Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!
To access Sweet Hour of Prayer, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/sweethourofprayer/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 26, 2020 | Philippians
Philippians 4:12-13
“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
The Greek word for abound is perisseuō. In part, it means to exceed with more than what is expected — having far more than what was anticipated. The opposite of our English word abound is the word abased, which in the Greek is tapeinoō. It means to humiliate and bring down. In layman’s language it means to hit the bottom of the barrel.
As believers we far too often rate things in a physical manner. We equate abounding as having prosperity and ease of living. It is safe to say that many believers think that they should have a life of prosperity if they do the will of God. Paul would not agree. He had experienced both being down and being up!
As you evaluate your service to the Lord, I pray that you will consider that God wants us to abound in doing the work that He places in our hands to perform. Do everything with gusto and enthusiasm. Abound in His grace and mercy and allow Him to receive the glory.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 19, 2020 | Philippians
Philippians 1:12
“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.”
In early February 2011 I was lying in a hospital bed attached to tubes and gadgets that emitted strange beeping sounds all around; I had just undergone triple by-pass heart surgery. Lying there helpless, I recall thinking I needed to be about the work of the Lord . . . there was a funeral service as well as other commitments on my very busy schedule. Why am I here? Does God know what He is doing?
In answer to that question — Yes! God did know what He was doing, and the lessons I learned during that medical emergency remain with me today. I have come more and more to realize that God places us in difficult situations to give us the opportunity to shine brightly with His love and grace.
The apostle Paul was one of the greatest champions of the faith the world has ever known. We might be tempted to feel that God would make the way easier for such a faithful servant. Instead, Paul endured beating, stoning, lashing, shipwreck, and imprisonment in prison after prison. In fact, he wrote the letter to the Philippians from a prison cell.
Rather than asking ourselves why God allows us to endure suffering, we need to rejoice that we have been counted worthy to suffer for Christ. We need to look around us and use our circumstances to be a good witness for Jesus. Do others see Jesus in you when you suffer?!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 18, 2020 | Philippians
Philippians 3:10-11
“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
All too often there are those who venerate religious objects that relate to the Lord Jesus. I have heard that if all of the supposed fragments of the cross upon which Jesus was crucified were assembled they could build a large building.
God sternly warns that we are never to worship such objects but to worship only the Lord. That old rugged cross can certainly remind us of the price Jesus paid, but His suffering was not just the pain of crucifixion, but that He was totally sinless became sin for us and paid the price for our redemption.
Back in 1913, Salvation Army Officer, George Bennard passed through a trying experience. This experience caused him to reflect seriously about the significance of the cross and, in particular, what the apostle Paul meant when he spoke of by entering into the fellowship of Christ’s suffering. While contemplating on these truths, Bennard was convinced that the cross was not just a religious symbol, but rather the very heart of the gospel. He penned the words of this beloved hymn.
THE OLD RUGGED CROSS
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame; And I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain: So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me; for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above to bear it to dark Calvary.
Refrain: So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see, for ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died, to pardon and sanctify me.
Refrain: So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.
To that old rugged cross I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear; then he’ll call me some day to my home far away, where his glory forever I’ll share.
Refrain: So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.
To access this week’s free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/theoldruggedcross/
Blessings dear hearts. May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil
